Reduced Presence of SARS-CoV-2 microRNA-like Small RNA in the Serum of Patients with Post-Acute Sequelae SARS-CoV-2 Infection.

The mechanisms underlying post-acute sequelae of SARS-CoV-2 infection (PASC) are a topic of debate. This study examined the presence of SARS-CoV-2 microRNA (miRNA)-like small RNAs in extracellular fluids and their potential link to PASC by using a quantitative stem-loop RT-PCR MiRNA assay. Initially, it was demonstrated that three previously identified SARS-CoV-2 miRNA-like small RNAs, specifically svRNA 1 and 2 and miR-07a, were significantly expressed in infected cells in vitro and released into the supernatant following infection by different SARS-CoV-2 variants.

Respiratory Virus-Specific and Time-Dependent Interference of Adenovirus Type 2, SARS-CoV-2 and Influenza Virus H1N1pdm09 During Viral Dual Co-Infection and Superinfection In Vitro.

Background: Understanding the interference patterns of respiratory viruses could be important for shedding light on potential strategies to combat these human infectious agents.

Objective: To investigate the possible interactions between adenovirus type 2 (AdV2), severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) and influenza A/H1N1 pandemic (H1N1pdm09) using the A549 cell line.

Methods: Single infections, co-infections, and superinfections (at 3 and 24 h after the first virus infection) were performed by varying the multiplicity of infection (MOI).

High-resolution melting analysis for detection of nucleotide mutation markers in the polymerase-acidic (PA) gene of influenza virus that are associated with baloxavir marboxil resistance.

The I38T substitution in the influenza virus polymerase-acidic (PA) subunit is a resistance marker of concern for treatment with the antiviral baloxavir marboxil (BXM). Thus, monitoring PA/I38T mutations is of clinical importance. Here, we developed three rapid and sensitive assays for the detection and monitoring of the PA/I38T mutation.

The Emergence of Saliva as a Diagnostic and Prognostic Tool for Viral Infections.

Saliva has emerged as a promising diagnostic fluid for viral infections, enabling the direct analysis of viral genetic material and the detection of infection markers such as proteins, metabolites, microRNAs, and immunoglobulins. This comprehensive review aimed to explore the use of saliva as a diagnostic tool for viral infections, emphasizing its advantages and limitations. Saliva stands out due to its simplicity and safety in collection, along with the convenience of self-collection without the need for healthcare supervision, while potentially being comparable to urine and blood in terms of effectiveness.

Investigation of Oral Shedding of Torquetenovirus (TTV) in Moderate-to-Severe COVID-19 Hospitalised Patients.

Background: Torquetenovirus (TTV) is a small DNA virus constituting the human virome. High levels of TTV-DNA have been shown to be associated with immunosuppression and inflammatory chronic disorders.

Aim: To assess the possible association between the salivary viral load of TTV-DNA in patients hospitalised due to COVID-19 and disease severity.

Identification of Novel Non-Nucleoside Inhibitors of Zika Virus NS5 Protein Targeting MTase Activity.

Zika virus (ZIKV) is a positive-sense single-stranded virus member of the family. Among other arboviruses, ZIKV can cause neurological disorders such as Guillain Barré syndrome, and it can have congenital neurological manifestations and affect fertility. ZIKV nonstructural protein 5 (NS5) is essential for viral replication and limiting host immune detection.

SARS-CoV-2 inhibitory activity of a short peptide derived from internal fusion peptide of S2 subunit of spike glycoprotein.

Severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus-2 (SARS-CoV-2) has posed a great concern in human population. To fight coronavirus emergence, we have dissected the conserved amino acid region of the internal fusion peptide in the S2 subunit of Spike glycoprotein of SARS-CoV-2 to design new inhibitory peptides. Among the 11 overlapping peptides (9-23-mer), PN19, a 19-mer peptide, exhibited a powerful inhibitory activity against different SARS-CoV-2 clinical isolate variants in absence of cytotoxicity.

Antiviral Activity against SARS-CoV-2 of Conformationally Constrained Helical Peptides Derived from Angiotensin-Converting Enzyme 2.

Despite the availability of vaccines, COVID-19 continues to be aggressive, especially in immunocompromised individuals. Therefore, the development of a specific therapeutic agent with antiviral activity against SARS-CoV-2 is necessary. The infection pathway starts when the of the viral spike protein interacts with the (ACE2), which acts as a host receptor for the RBD expressed on the host cell surface.

Severe acute respiratory syndrome by influenza and factors associated with death in older adults: a population study.

Introduction: Influenza is characterized by an acute viral infection, which can lead to severe conditions and death, especially in vulnerable populations, such as older adults. Therefore, we sought to analyze cases of severe acute respiratory syndrome (SARS) due to influenza in older adults registered in Brazil and investigate the factors related to death due to this disease.

Methodology: This is a cross-sectional, population-based study that used secondary data from the Influenza Epidemiological Surveillance Information System (IESIS-Influenza).

Factors associated with death due to severe acute respiratory syndrome caused by influenza: Brazilian population study.

Introduction: Influenza infection is characterized by acute viral infection of high transmissibility. Worsening of the case can lead to the need for hospitalization, severe acute respiratory syndrome (SARS) and even death.

Method: This is a cross-sectional population-based study that used secondary database from the Brazilian Influenza Epidemiological Surveillance Information System.

Antiviral Activity of Oligonucleotides Targeting the SARS-CoV-2 Genomic RNA Stem-Loop Sequences within the 3'-End of the ORF1b.

Increased evidence shows vaccines against severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) exhibited no long-term efficacy and limited worldwide availability, while existing antivirals and treatment options have only limited efficacy. In this study, the main objective was the development of antiviral strategies using nucleic acid-based molecules. To this purpose, partially overlapped 6-19-mer phosphorothioate deoxyoligonucleotides (S-ONs) designed on the SARS-CoV-2 genomic RNA stem-loop packaging sequences within the 3' end of the ORF1b were synthetized using the direct and complementary sequence.

Plasma Torquetenovirus (TTV) microRNAs and severity of COVID-19.

Background: Torquetenovirus (TTV), a widespread anellovirus recognized as the main component of the healthy human virome, displays viremia that is highly susceptible to variations in immune competence. TTV possesses microRNA (miRNA)-coding sequences that might be involved in viral immune evasion. Among TTV-encoded miRNAs, miRNA t1a, t3b, and tth8 have been found in biological fluids.

Use of saliva and RT-PCR screening for SARS-CoV-2 variants of concern: Surveillance and monitoring.

Genomic surveillance has been applied since the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic to track the spread of the virus, leading to the characterization of multiple SARS-CoV-2 variants, including variants of concern (VOC). Although sequencing is the standard method, a rapid molecular test for screening and surveillance of VOC is considered for detection. Furthermore, using alternative saliva as specimen collection facilitates the implementation of a less invasive, self-collected sample.

Lack of direct association between oral mucosal lesions and SARS-CoV- 2 in a cohort of patients hospitalised with COVID-19.

Background: COVID-19 is a disease affecting various human organs and systems, in which the virus seeks to interact with angiotensin-converting enzyme 2 receptors. These receptors are present in the oral cavity, but the direct relationship between such an interaction and possible oral manifestations of COVID-19 is still unclear.

Aim: The present study evaluated oral manifestations in a cohort of COVID-19 patients during the period of hospitalisation.

MALDI-TOF mass spectrometry of saliva samples as a prognostic tool for COVID-19.

Background: The SARS-CoV-2 infections are still imposing a great public health challenge despite the recent developments in vaccines and therapy. Searching for diagnostic and prognostic methods that are fast, low-cost and accurate are essential for disease control and patient recovery. The MALDI-TOF mass spectrometry technique is rapid, low cost and accurate when compared to other MS methods, thus its use is already reported in the literature for various applications, including microorganism identification, diagnosis and prognosis of diseases.

Quantification of torque teno virus (TTV) DNA in saliva and plasma samples in patients at short time before and after kidney transplantation.

Background: Several reports have proposed that the viral load of torque teno virus (TTV) in plasma is a biomarker of immune function in solid organ transplantation (SOT) and in allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation. Additionally, for the latter one, TTV-DNA quantification in saliva has also been suggested.

Aim: to investigate the correlation between the TTV viral load and immune function in paired saliva and plasma samples in patients on kidney transplantation.

West Nile Virus Seroprevalence in the Italian Tuscany Region from 2016 to 2019.

Although in humans West Nile virus is mainly the cause of mild or sub-clinical infections, in some cases a neuroinvasive disease may occur predominantly in the elderly. In Italy, several cases of West Nile virus infection are reported every year. Tuscany was the first Italian region where the virus was identified; however, to date only two cases of infection have been reported in humans.

Screening of the essential oil effects on human H1N1 influenza virus infection: an study in MDCK cells.

Nineteen essential oils (EOs) obtained from different plants have been evaluated for their potential anti-H1N1 influenza virus efficacy. Both multivariate analyses and bivariate correlation were performed to better understand how the composition influences the activity. The results evidenced that for the laboratory distilled EOs both rosemary hybrids ( and ) showed a good antiviral activity with low cytotoxic effect.

Volatiles and Antifungal-Antibacterial-Antiviral Activity of South African spp. Essential Oils Cultivated in Uniform Conditions.

Spontaneous emissions of Aiton and Thunb., as well as the essential oil (EO) composition of the cited species, together with L., were investigated.

Detection of polyomavirus microRNA-5p expression in saliva shortly after kidney transplantation.

MicroRNAs (miRNAs) of polyomavirus (PyV) are present in several biological fluids and are suggested to be relevant viral factors for monitoring its persistence. To evaluate the effect of an immunosuppressive regimen on the status of PyV-miRNA-5p in the oral cavity. The JCPyV, BKPyV, MCPyV miRNA-5p were investigated in paired saliva and plasma samples obtained from 23 patients before and shortly after renal-transplantation by using real-time RT-PCR.

Performance of at-home self-collected saliva and nasal-oropharyngeal swabs in the surveillance of COVID-19.

: SARS-CoV-2 quickly spreads in the worldwide population, imposing social restrictions to control the infection, being the massive testing another essential strategy to break the chain of transmission. : To compare the performance of at-home self-collected samples - saliva and combined nasal-oropharyngeal swabs (NOP) - for SARS-CoV-2 detection in a telemedicine platform for COVID-19 surveillance. : We analyzed 201 patients who met the criteria of suspected COVID-19.

Torque teno virus microRNA detection in cerebrospinal fluids of patients with neurological pathologies.

Background: Torque teno virus (TTV) is a widespread anellovirus that establishes persistent infections in humans and represents the most abundant component of the human virome. TTV encodes microRNAs (miRNA) which are found both in viremic and not viremic subjects being potentially ideal tools for the virus to evade the immune system response and to maintain chronic infection in the host.

Objective: To investigate TTV-DNA loads and TTV-miRNAs expression in cerebrospinal fluids (CSF) from subjects under analysis for the assessment of neurological diseases.

Unique Domain for a Unique Target: Selective Inhibitors of Host Cell DDX3X to Fight Emerging Viruses.

Emerging viruses like dengue, West Nile, chikungunya, and Zika can cause widespread viral epidemics. Developing novel drugs or vaccines against specific targets for each virus is a difficult task. As obligate parasites, all viruses exploit common cellular pathways, providing the possibility to develop broad-spectrum antiviral agents targeting host factors.

COVID-19 salivary signature: diagnostic and research opportunities.

The COVID-19 (caused by severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2)) epidemic started in Wuhan (Hubei Province, China) in mid-December 2019 and quickly spread across the world as a pandemic. As a key to tracing the disease and to implement strategies aimed at breaking the chain of disease transmission, extensive testing for SARS-CoV-2 was suggested. Although nasopharyngeal/oropharyngeal swabs are the most commonly used biological samples for SARS-CoV-2 diagnosis, they have a number of limitations related to sample collection and healthcare personnel safety.